Maserati’s Glen Sealey on why a good leader should encourage his team to make mistakes

Glen Sealey is a firm believer in empowerment. He wants his team to have the freedom to make their own decisions – even if it means making a few mistakes along the way.

"Essentially, I need to ensure the right peg is in the right hole, and then give them the resources and freedom, with accountability, to do their jobs. Also, I need to identify and take away the roadblocks," the Maserati Australia, New Zealand and South Africa COO explains.

"I don’t micromanage, but I do expect results from the resources allocated. That said, it’s important to provide a safe environment to make mistakes. You can’t grow without mistakes."

"It’s important to provide a safe environment to make mistakes. You can’t grow without mistakes."

Glen encourages his team to have a sense of ownership and responsibility while doing their jobs. "In a very fast-paced environment, all of my team should run what they do as if it’s their own business – ‘if it was your money, what would you do?’ That’s the type of decision-making I want to foster," he says.

A third-generation car dealer, Glen has spent his life surrounded by cars, but he hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm for the automotive industry.
"When you get up in the morning and you’re having a shave, if you’re not excited by what you’re about to do today – don’t do it," he advises. "And yes, I literally get up each day and am excited by what I do. Even when it’s hard, it’s exciting to find a solution and get through it."

Glen is also excited about his role as a judge for The CEO Magazine’s 2019 Executive of the Year Awards.

"The Executive of the Year Awards is about recognising high achievement within the business community," he says. "By measuring and calling out high achievement, we encourage it. What better purpose is there?"

When Glen is not at work, he loves nothing more than spending quality time with his newsreader wife, Natarsha Belling, and sons Harrison and Hugo. He says hitting the open road for drive also helps him unwind.

"I try to be in the moment with my children, whether it’s sport, fishing, camping or riding," he says. "But I also love driving. There is nothing quite like the feeling of a powerful, well-balanced car on a nice piece of road to ensure total concentration and no distractions. It’s just wonderful."

Although Glen is passionate about cars, he doesn’t share the same affection for planes. In fact, he’s hoping someone will invent teleporting to make international travel for work easier.

"Given the distances that need to be covered between Australia, South Africa and Italy, it would be amazing if someone could just perfect the art of teleporting with no jetlag," he grins.

Find out more about The CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year Awards here.